Monthly Archives: December 2015

The BMW M6, available in convertible, coupe, or gran coupe form, is known for being a luxurious power house with a hefty price tag. Carrying the same S63 power plant from the F10 M5, the twin turbo V8 makes at least 550 horsepower. Just listening to the car you know that it means business with the loud spooling of the turbo systems and deep exhaust note. As standard equipment on newer M6 models, a stunning amount of carbon fiber dominates the interior, however more overpowering is the brilliant optional Sakhir Orange and Black Merino Leather.

Carried over from the older M3 cars, Silverstone Metallic is an awesome color choice. As its name states there is a silver look to the paint but generally the paint displays a blue tint. Park it under a tree or next to a grass field and it immediately picks up some green tint. Owners tend to enjoy the color very much, saying that it never really has the same color and every time you look at it the color changes. We have seen this first hand with all of the Silverstone Metallic cars that have come by. Direct sunlight reveals to us silver, during sunset a bluish tint, and at night much darker silver. The M Carbon Ceramic Brakes on this car go nicely with the body since the gold calipers are also an easy on the eyes color.

Tanzanite Blue Metallic is the paint color that this F80 M3 rolled off the line with. Not only is the paint a BMW Individual option but so is the interior with Amaro Brown Extended Merino Leather w/ White Stitching. Put together, the custom paint and interior option total $4,250. That’s $1,950 for the paint and a whopping $2,300 for the interior. Adding even more to the price tag and individuality is the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes at $8,150. Prefer the 18” wheels over the 19” wheels? Choosing M Carbon Ceramic Brakes forces you to select a 19” set of wheels so the owner decided on the Light Alloy Double-Spoke Style 437 M Wheels over the Black. Essentially fully optioned, the owner requested even more be done.

The S55 engine is a highly capable motor in the newer M3 and M4. Being taken to the track fairly often, the owner of this Mineral White F82 was seeking more performance to decrease lap times. When preparing a car for the track, safety should come before anything. In the event of an accident the driver must be in as good preparation as possible. Following behind safety is usability and functionality. Although price tags can be rather high, the money spent on performance aftermarket components is well worth it as most high end manufacturers goals are to exceed and outperform original manufacturer components.

We have begun to see an increase in the number of BMW i3s rolling around town. It has only been a matter of time before an i3 obtained modifications other than coding to its sophisticated technological package. On the stock suspension the i3 has a fairly comfortable feel. Without sacrificing ride quality, the H&R Lowering Springs we put on this i3 gave it a fairly decent drop. Benefits of the H&R springs are not only the lowered stance but also a lower center of gravity providing improved handling.

Searching for more power? A downpipe is an excellent source for horsepower! Since a turbocharger is essentially a pump, it’s important for the pipes leading up to and exiting the turbo to have unrestricted airflow. Factory downpipes generally are highly restrictive as they have catalyst material formed into "honeycomb" weaves. Exhaust gas must pass through these tiny "honeycomb" weaves on their way to the exhaust system thus causing a major exhaust flow restriction. It also causes turbulence after the catalytic converter which causes the exhaust flow to slow down.

The BMW Performance division continues to expand their offerings all the while keying into the desires of BMW enthusiasts around the world. The F8X M3/M4 Performance parts are a more aggressive option created by the designers at BMW ///M. The aero options from the Performance division, designed by BMW ///M, provide a more sporty and aggressive look all the while maintaining or accenting the factory lines.

This past weekend we were presented with an opportunity to compare exhaust notes between two different systems on the S55 engine in the F8X M3/M4. What luck we had having both cars in Silverstone Metallic with the stock downpipes and no engine modifications. This meant that the only factor changing the sound of the car was the exhaust systems.

The APR Performance Carbon Fiber Front Splitter integrates with the F8X M3/M4 front bumper to reduce front-end lift and increase high-speed stability. Formed in the autoclave at high temperatures, The APR Performance Front Air Dam/Splitter is made from pre-preg carbon fiber materials to be both strong and light weight. Damaging a front splitter on your M3/M4 will sometimes happen, especially when lowering the car. This front splitter features unique pre-equipped billet aluminum skit plates on the underside to prevent damage from the road or driveways. Just as most of the BMW carbon fiber parts are, this splitter is made in a 2x2 weave pattern to go along with any other carbon fiber that your car has, like mirror caps, diffuser, or even interior trim.

Today’s F82 M4 in Mineral White features quite the list of modifications! Including parts from M Performance, 3D Design, KW, BBS, Akrapovic, Macht Schnell, AFE, iND, and even parts from us here at European Auto Source! With brands like these the mods aren’t only for cosmetics. Increases in horsepower, sound, and drivability are all features of this stunning ride! Immediately noticeable are the sweet 20” BBS CI-R Wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Tires. The 255/30 front and 295/30 rear wide tires provide a little contact patch than the standard Michelin Pilot Super Sport 275. Paired with KW V3 Coilovers the stance is seriously aggressive.